Examining the Debut of the Freshly Opened Venetian Poker Room in Sin City (Las Vegas)
Living it Up at the New Venetian Poker Room
The Venetian Poker Room has lifted the curtain on a stylish new act. Shifting from its previous location to a prime spot within the resort, this hotspot now boasts luxurious amenities and easy access. High rollers, casual gamblers, and even music sensation Nelly attended the glitzy grand opening.
A Glamorous Unveiling
The star-studded debut took place in the afternoon, welcoming players such as Matt Berkey, Jamie Kerstetter, Maria Konnikova, and 2017 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event champion Scott Blumstein. Tommy LaRosa, the manager of Venetian's poker room, praised the renovated space during the event, highlighting the convenience and assorted perks.
Originally nestled near the sportsbook and the Las Vegas Boulevard exit, the poker room now finds itself in a more central location within the Grand Canal Shoppies, situated between the Venetian and Palazzo casino floors. Players can zip to the room using an escalator tucked near the Louis Vuitton store.
The Show Must Go On
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the ceremonial first hand took place around 4:30 p.m. local time. Special guests included Kerstetter, Berkey, Farah Galfond, Blumstein, and Joey Ingram, along with casino representatives. The hand became an eight-way all-in preflop in a flash, demonstrating the fun-loving atmosphere.
Poker enthusiasts eagerly filled the space after the ceremonial hand, ready to join the numerous cash games available. Hosted by Berkey, Galfond, Kerstetter, and Jeremy Ausmus, the festivities also included a meet-up game that drew poker aficionados, including vloggers Jaman Burton and Landon Tice. Guests indulged in complimentary hors d'oeuvres as they explored the new space.
Modern Magic and Memories
Although the new poker room's blue felt and white rail colors resemble those of the neighboring Wynn Poker Room, subtleties make it one-of-a-kind. For example, Allen Kessler appreciates the unique carpeting and the return of a beloved feature—the self-serve soda machine and coffee station.
Venetian first announced intentions for the new poker room, aiming to be the largest in Las Vegas, back in February. Low and mid-stakes no-limit hold 'em, mixed games, pot-limit Omaha—and more—are on offer in the 49-table facility, ensuring everyone will enjoy the fresh gaming experience in the spacious and attractive design.
Play, Win, Repeat
Hosting events like the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) and its popular DeepStack Series, Venetian has long been a top tournament poker destination. Running from Friday until September 15, the DeepStack Showdown Poker Series offers $2.4 million in guaranteed prize money, keeping up the tradition in the new poker facility. Tournament enthusiasts can look forward to the $500,000 guaranteed MSPT event, set for September 5-8.
The poker room operates 24/7 and provides free non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages to all patrons. Playing cash games earns players $3 per hour in comps, encouraging them to stay at the tables. As the year comes to a close, a new addition is expected—a specialized livestreaming studio, letting fans and players interact with the action in real-time, increasing the room's appeal.
Excited Acclaim
The poker community reacted positively to the grand opening. PokerStars' ambassador Maria Konnikova praised the design and services of the new room, especially the nearby restrooms. The smoke-free environment is a welcome feature for players sensitive to cigarette smoke, and the location away from the casino floor adds to the experience.
Joey Ingram was thrilled with the new room, applauding its dynamic atmosphere and potential for groundbreaking changes in the Las Vegas poker scene. Although he mentioned that the Grand Canal Shoppes can be crowded, which might be a sign of things to come for the poker room, he found the new space "underrated."
The architecture, amenities, and features such as the restrooms, drink station, and livestream studio impressed Jon Friedberg, CEO of PokerAtlas. He commended the Venetian team for creating a premier poker environment.
When asked to sum it up, 2017 WSOP Main Event winner Scott Blumstein said, "It's difficult to argue that it gets any better than this." The poker community has expressed admiration for the new poker room's contemporary design, promising an unforgettable experience.
- The Venetian Poker Room's grand opening was attended by poker players such as Matt Berkey, Jamie Kerstetter, Maria Konnikova, Scott Blumstein, and numerous high rollers and casual gamblers.
- In the new pokerroom, players can find 49 tables offering low and mid-stakes no-limit hold 'em, mixed games, pot-limit Omaha, and various tournaments such as the DeepStack Showdown Poker Series and the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT).
- Poker enthusiasts greatly appreciated the modern design and services of the new pokeroom, including features like the self-serve soda machine, free beverages, and a smoke-free environment.
- The Venetian Poker Room aims to be the largest in Las Vegas and plans to add a specialized livestreaming studio later this year to further enhance the player and fan experience.
- The poker community, including Maria Konnikova, Joey Ingram, and Jon Friedberg, praised the new pokeroom's contemporary design and premium amenities, with Blumstein summing it up as "difficult to argue that it gets any better than this."
